Gloucester Cathedral packed out as hundreds gather for the funeral of Ty Townsley

GLOUCESTER Cathedral was awash with colour as more than 500 people gathered to celebrate the life of Ty Townsley.

The 15-year-old died in his sleep in the early hours of January 6 at his Tuffley Avenue home.

Yesterday, his loved ones gathered in their droves to celebrate the life of the former Gloucester Academy pupil.

His Coney Hill Rugby Club Under-16 teammates formed a guard of honour at the entrance to the city landmark while Ty's loved ones, including dad Gerry, and brothers Tom, 22, and Toby, 20, carried in the coffin.

Attendees were asked specifically not to wear black or white, and instead to wear colourful clothes.

Ty's coffin was decorated with the image of a rugby ground and a picture of his old Coney Hill shirt.

Tributes and poems were read aloud at the service by loved ones, including his best friend Fabian Lyn.

He said: "He was my best mate but we were more like brothers. We were always together.

"I will never forget Ty. He had a massive impact on my life."

Hymns Give Me Joy In My Heart, Keep Me Praising and O Jesus I Have Promised were sung, while poems and bible readings were also given.

Ty's coffin was carried in to The World's Greatest' by R Kelly and it departed to Autumn Leaves by Ed Sheeran.

Ty's friend Ollie Payne also wrote a tribute, which was read out by family friend Serena Meredith.

She said: "Losing a friend is hard, but losing a best friend is the hardest.

"He was like a brother to me. I know you are still with us and I have often felt you by my side."

The service was given by the chaplain of Gloucester Academy the Reverend Christopher Blockley.

Meanwhile, Lisa Fryer, head of Years 10 and 11 at the academy, also read a tribute.

She said: "At time he was amazingly sharp-witted, cheeky and chopsy. But we always knew he was one of the good guys."

A private service followed at Gloucester Crematorium with a reception afterwards at Coney Hill Rugby Club.